The 137th Preakness will go off as race 12 on Saturday, May 19 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. Post time is set for 6:18 p.m. EDT.

1 - Tiger Walk: BH – Does his best running late, but his best has not been good enough to beat the  class he will face in this field.  Minor award always possible.
RF - Mid-pack finish in the Wood, blinks-on today, Desormeaux gets the call. Deep exotics play.
KK – Nice fourth in the Wood but appears to be a cut below the top in here.

2 - Teeth of the Dog: BH – Finished third in the Wood Memorial, but the two that beat him were  no factor in the Derby.  Distance certainly no problem.  Legit on long tickets.
RF – Sorry guys, the bark is worse than the bite.
KK – Finished behind two nice horses in the Wood for his first stakes attempt. 

3 -  Pretension: BH – Winner of the Canoonero on Derby Day on the Pimlico main track.  Best  Beyer figure of 83 says he is at least 15 lengths short of contending.
RF – Not to be confused with the hypertension I’m having thinking this guy belongs.
KK – Local won Canonero but was far back in both graded stakes tries.

4 -  Zetterholm: BH – Rick Dutrow trainee goes from New York restricted racing to the Preakness,  a big jump for any colt.  Will have to improve double digit lengths to contend.
RF- Winner of three straight, Rick Dutrow and Junior Alvarado score at 37 percent, man this guy scares me.
KK – Going in the right direction, but last race was just a state-bred stake at a mile.

5 -  Went the Day Well:  BH – Made up 13 positions closing into torrid pace set by Bodemeister in Derby.  Definite player in this field with a chance to win if the pace is too hot for leaders.
RF – Filled out the Derby super with a strong late run, I like, but I think he once again runs out of track.
KK – Ran huge race in Derby with little experience. Dangerous and promising.

6 -  Creative Cause: BH – Was third in derby until passed near wire by Dullahan and Went the Day Well, confirming his trainer’s insistence that he was fit and uninjured.  Trifecta player.
RF - A solid choice in any other spot, go deep with him if you can.
KK – Distance cut and a better trip puts him right there.  Handled Derby well.

7 -  Bodemeister:  BH – Did the Derby drain him.  If not, they may not catch him because pace  pressure is unlikely unless the M.O of another changes drastically.  Hard not to like.
RF – Second/first, second/first, second/first; that’s his track record. Today a first, nah, he’s the modern day Alydar.
KK – Shorter, with no Trinniberg.  How will they catch him?

8 -  Daddy Nose Best:  BH – Wise guy horse in Derby that had a difficult trip that day.  Jockey change to Learoux is a downgrade in my book.  Still a player, and value is good.
RF – Sure you can play him, when he gets back to Sunland and synthetics.
KK – Back with Leparoux after rough trip in Derby.  Note this isn’t Sunland.

9 -  I’ll Have Another:  BH – Should get nice stalking trip behind Bodemeister.  I’ve liked this  horse for months, and who wouldn’t like to see him capture the second jewel.
RF – Runs down the ‘Meister once again. See you at Belmont in three weeks.
KK – Fresh and knows how to win. They’d better not send him up with Bode.

10 - Optimizer:  BH – Ran mid-pack in the Derby throughout entire race.  Repeat likely, and other closers in Preakness have shown much more than this Lukas trainee.
RF - By turf superstar English Channel, and you continue on a dirt path. Only with a Lukas starter.
KK – Nearly 12 lengths back throughout Derby. Can’t see him touching the top 4.

11 -  Cozzetti:  BH – Fourth place finisher in Arkansas Derby will have to move forward to be a contender.  Lone win was on a sloppy track.
RF – Trainer Dale Romans will have better days with this son of Cozzene than he’ll have today.
KK – Likely best of newcomers, but did not have the strongest prep in the Arkansas Derby.

Bob’s picks:  9-6-7-5-8
Rick’s picks: 9-7-4-1
Kat’s picks: 7-9-6-5

Friday’s selection comes from Pimlico with the 88th Running of The Black-Eyed Susan. Normally the second leg of the filly Triple Crown, today’s contest is short on Kentucky Oaks players, as in none, but nevertheless long on talent. A field of nine is scheduled for this mile and a eighth test, so let’s get started.

Race 10 – Pimlico – post time: 4:46 p.m. EDT

GLINDA THE GREAT (1), and she is at the mile route where she’s won two of her last three, and showed in the Grade 2 Pocahontas last October at Churchill. Interesting entry here, as this Asmussen trained filly by Hard Spun stays close to the leaders, and has shown a solid close. Take a good look here.

DISPOSABLE PLEASURE (2), though she showed last out in the Fair Grounds Oaks, it was facing a field of five, and that try was on the heels of an equally disappointing effort in the Davona Dale. I’m not sold on this Pletcher starter.

WELCOME GUEST (3), rallied to place last out in the Comely, but wasn’t making up ground to the winner. Solid connections abound here, out of Unbridled’s Song, trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Ramon Dominguez, this filly knows who she’s chasing, and should sit just off the pace. An obvious player.

MAMMA KIMBO (4), just like Bob Baffert’s Preakness starter, Bodemeister, this girl loved Oaklawn, as she withstood a challenge in the Grade 2 Fantasy last out, and posted a bullet work at Churchill before shipping here. This is a run and gun spot, can she hold on, I think at least for second.

OAKS LILY (5) broke her maiden last month over Keeneland’s all-weather main, but this will be her second real dirt start, with the first ending in a stop effort. I’m looking elsewhere.

PLUM (6), Maryland-bred can hold her own against “shore” types, but not facing this bunch.

IN LINGERIE (7), Pletcher-trained daughter of Empire Maker enters on the strength of a demonstrative Grade 3 Bourbonette score, which was her second over the synthetics of TurfwayPark. Running on the dirt two back at Gulfstream, girl had issues in the starting gate, and it cost her late. I like her in this spot, to at least hit the board and bring some value to the exotics.

WILDCAT’S SMILE (8), filly by Forest Wildcat has never missed a board finish in her seven career starts, and was just a nose off in the Demoiselle. Trainer Dominic Galluscio is solid in these spots, and with Rosie Napravnik in the irons, these fillies should take to this distance, and at very playable odds. I’m including, and considering for the top-spot.

ZUCCHINI FLOWERS (9), eeking-out a nose score two back against overnighters at Aqueduct, this daughter of Flower Alley wilted in last against the same but at Belmont. Graham Motion conditioned, this girl still has work to do before competing with these.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith will get a taste of what fellow inductee Johnny Velasquez got during the Kentucky Oaks, a hard ride by the lady, Rosie Napravnik, as she guides Wildcat’s Smile to a stirring photo win over Mamma Kimbo. I’m putting Glinda The Great, along with In Lingerie to fill out the tri’s and supers. Rick’s picks: 8-4-1-7.

Thursday’s selection also comes from Belmont and once again features stakes action. The Vanlandingham Stakes is the third on the card, and this mile and sixteenth main track contest is highlighted by the return to racing of multiple graded stakes winner Stay Thirsty. A field of six is scheduled to start, and with superfecta wagering offered, let’s see if we can go into the Preakness weekend with some added funds.

Race 3 – Belmont Park – 1:54 p.m. EDT

SWAG DADDY (1), facing open company for the first time last out, this Rick Dutrow starter never contended and finished next to last. Rosie gets the call to fall upon the sword today, but it wouldn’t matter if legendary rider Georgie Woolf was in the irons, it’s not happening.

STAY THIRSTY (2), never mind Uncle Mo; this was the “man” of Repole Stables. Son of Bernardini has his hands full today in making his first start since a disappointing next to last finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and with a summer full of graded stakes action ahead, I doubt trainer Todd Pletcher goes all in here, and remember, he’s started three times here and has yet to get his picture taken. I’ll try and find some value elsewhere.

SASTRE (3), should this son of Scorpion somehow win this, they’ll rename the testing barn in his honor.

ARTHUR’S TALE (4), since finishing a neck back in the Grade 1 Wood, things haven’t gone accordingly to plan for this very pricey son of Bernardini. He showed little in a pair of graded contests to end 2011, and his 2012 debut facing overnighters at Aqueduct was rock bottom. Therein lies the hope; I mean can it get worse. Unfortunately for trainer Tom Albertrani, that maybe all this guy has today, hope.

TRICKMEISTER (5), other than a tiring effort last out in the Grade 1 Donn, this guy fires every time. Rick Dutrow has his main man aboard today, Ramon Dominguez, and they’re winning at 36 percent, and really want this start. Front-runner has gotten away with honest fractions in his five wins, and I think he will again today. He’ll be a notch above even money, and that’s better than we’re going to get with Thirsty.

JOAN’S CHOICE (6), five-year-old Alphabet Soup gelding is a hard working sort, but at an entirely different level. He’s been money with his last six starts, and with speed numbers that may surprise a few in here today. Starter allowance types these ain’t, but he’ll be part of all my exotic plans.

There’s an elephant in this room, and he towers above these, but does he fire fresh off the layoff? I say he does, but I’ll try and beat him with Dutrow’s Trickmeister, and add Joan’s Choice and Arthur’s Tale to complete the tri’s and supers. Rick’s picks: 5-2-6-4.

Our race week begins at Belmont with the second on the card, a stakes contest, the Cannon Shell. This six furlong turf sprint is for three-year-olds and up, and features several graded stakes players. With five main track only’s sitting in the wings, keep your eyes on the weather to see if this stays green. Let’s get started.

Race 2 – Belmont Park – post time 1:22 p.m. EDT

YIELD BOGEY (1), placed in a pair of Grade 3’s here last summer, but it’s been awhile since eight-year-old has seen the winners circle. Through the years, he’s been a consistent earner over Belmont’s lawn, but I’ll look elsewhere for the winner.

FIDDLERS PATRIOT (2), Proud Citizen gelding hasn’t made a start since finishing fifth in Woodbine’s Grade 1 Neartic last October. Trainer George Weaver is average with these extended layoff types, and though he missed by a nose against Grade 2’s last June, his best has come against lesser.

BERGERAC (3), claimed two back after missing by a half-length at Gulfstream, and did so last out for trainer Chad Brown in the Grade 2 Commonwealth run over Keeneland’s synthetic main. Son of Rahy has hit the board 11 times from his 17 turf starts, but is more apt to finish second, which he’s done in six of his last thirteen attempts.

SHINTOH (4), here we go again. Five-year-old ridgling by Giant’s Causeway makes his first North American start, and first of any kind since October 2010. He’ll have to beat me today.

AWAKINO CAT (5), Linda Rice starter is another that hasn’t had his picture snapped since a Saratoga score, 2010. Seven-year-old is on the side that can, but hasn’t, and that trend continues today.

NOBLE’S PROMISE (6), after taking the Grade 3 Aristides, and finishing a hard closing third next out in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint, he’s been plodding along ever since. All those good times took place on the main tracks, and today will be only the third turf try for this son of Cuvee. Trainer Ken McPeek has been putting this five-year-old through some nice works in prep for this, and I’ll seriously consider in “rain-off” action.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (7), four-year-old Harlan’s Holiday colt has but one turf start, and it was a forgettable one a year ago at Gulfstream. Sprinting over Aqueduct’s inner main in his last four, he’s placed three times and won facing third level optional claimers. He’s another to consider on the surface switch angle.

ZEB (8), Dale Romans takes over the training duties today, and to make that transition an easy one, he calls upon one of the nation’s hottest, Rosie Napravnik, for the ride. She guided this gelding by Military to a pair of wins sprinting on the Fair Grounds lawn, and to ignore him and her in this spot could cost you.

MAIN TRACK ONLY:

CREPE AU SUCRE (1a), with most recent success coming two back against 15k claimers, I’ll look elsewhere.

FLAT BOLD (9), Rudy Rodriguez-trained starter has won and placed in last two facing similar overnighters, and with times that would make him a factor. This will be on a four-day turnaround, and by anybodies standards that’s quick. However, he’s won on but a two day rest, so you can’t count him out.

TEMECULA CREEK (10), this elder son of Gulch also starts for the Rodriguez barn, but comes in a bit fresher, as he’s currently on an 11 day respite. I don’t really get these quick turnarounds, but I guess if they’re standing, they’re racing.

HE’S SO CHIC (11), after being claimed off a win in January; he’s continued to fire, as he paced and won for new trainer Greg Diprima. His deep closing efforts merit a long look.

W.W. LADY’S MAN (12), finished third here two weeks ago facing OC’s, and has shown a bit of early speed, which he’ll need to get out of this post. Trainer Ed Baker is winning at almost 30 percent with his non-graded starters, so he’ll be another to watch out for.

Well I’m banking on this contest staying green, and as such riding Rosie and Zeb to the finish line. I’ll also include Bergerac, Yield Bogey and Fiddlers Patriot in my exotic plays. Rick’s picks: 8-3-1-2.

File photo
Rosie Napravnik

We close out the weekend with our first visit Woodbine for the running of the Grade 3 Selene Stakes. A small field of six three-year-old fillies will go the mile and sixteenth route over the main all-weather track in search of their first graded win and the lion’s share of a 250k purse. Let’s get started.

Race 6 – Woodbine – post time 3:45 p.m. EDT

WAIT TILL DAWN (1), Pletcher starter tries the all-weather for the first time, and though that’s a 20 percent angle, this daughter of Giant’s Causeway has struggled a bit on comparable turf efforts, albeit in her first two. For her to factor today, she’ll need to be more forwardly placed than she was for that Oaklawn try, and I’m sure that’ll be the instructions to jockey Luis Contreras.

TU ENDIE WEI (2), the only blemish on this daughter of Johar’s record came last fall at Keeneland in the Grade 1 Alcibiades, which was contested at today’s distance. This is her home and though her four wins have all come at the sprint distances, trainer Reade Baker, who’s winning here at 31 percent, will have this girl avoiding opening half-miles of :45, and that’ll make her a big time threat.

DIXIE STRIKE (3), opened her 2012 campaign with a hard earned nose score in Tampa’s Florida Oaks run on the turf, but has since been drilled in her next two facing graded company, both on the lawn and on synthetic. Trained by Mark Casse, this Dixie Union filly has won and placed twice here, with three of those starts at today’s route. The return to the irons with Patrick Husbands is a 1-in-4 jock/trainer play, and she’ll offer the best value of the favorites.

KATIE GET EXCITED (4), after an extended layoff, this filly by Stevie Wonderboy showed a bit of rust, but nevertheless held on to take a first level allowance field in her 2012 debut here last month going seven furlongs. The stretch-out and class hike are two major concerns, but she’s shown enough to factor with exotic plays.

INDYNIABLE (5), A.P. Indy filly has had stamina issues in her last two, both on dirt and turf, and trainer Christophe Clement will get her right for a late summer run, but without having posted a speed number to date to threaten these, it won’t be here.

HILDA’S LEGACY (6), maiden stayed on for a show finish here last month, and currently is her claim to fame. She’s not for me.

Pletcher’s girl exudes class, but I’m going with the horses for the course, putting Dixie Strike, Tu Endie Wei and Katie Get Excited in all my plays. Rick’s picks: 3-2-4.

Race 8 – Churchill Downs – Saturday, May 12 – Unbridled Sidney 5 furlongs on turf for fillies/mares 3 and up – post time: 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Unbridled Sidney stakes drew a full field of 10, led by graded-stakes-placed, Honey Chile (10), who will come from the outside post.  Honey Chile has kept the best company and has run the highest figures of anyone in the race.  She comes into the race sharp off a neck loss in the Grade 3 Whimsical on synthetic at Woodbine.  She will press the pace, which will likely be set by the speedy Platinum Exchange (6).  That one just won wire to wire at Keeneland and will have a half-furlong less to deal with this time.  A similar run will make her tough to catch. 

Wild About Marie (1) is the other one with an excellent chance.  She is a multiple stakes winner, and while she didn’t show much in her last race, she will improve in just her second start since January.  She has lots of experience sprinting on grass and posts some of the best numbers in the field.  Smartys Empororess (4), a half to Smarty Jones, won two optional-claiming races before finishing decently in two stakes at Fair Grounds and Keeneland at 5 1/2 furlongs.  She could hit the board, as could Eur O So Bad (3), who will try to make it three in a row.  She is on top of her game and will return to grass for the first time this year.  

Helen Belen (2) has run mainly at smaller tracks and hasn’t tried turf since last summer.  Grand Illumination (5) has two nice optional-claiming wins at Fair Grounds but her latest race, and first grass attempt, did not go well.  Extravaganza (7) also did little in her last race, but previously won two in a row on grass at Fair Grounds.  She has a big chance while pressing the pace in her second race off a layoff.  Palazzo Babe (8) has not lost by more than a length in three starts this year, all in optional-claiming races.  And finally, Your notthebossofme(9) has not run since January and did not do well in her last three races.  Kat’s Picks: 10-6-1-7

Rick Francis
Staff writer
Tracksideview.com

We stay at Belmont for another stakes contest, this time the Diablo for three-year-olds and up sprinting six furlongs on the main track. With a pair of Grade 1 winners, along with one making his first stakes attempt, this field of seven is all hoping for a fast dry surface. Let’s break ‘em down.

Race 8 – Belmont Park – post time: 4:34 p.m. EDT
 
THIS ONES FOR PHIL (1), in his last four starts this Rick Dutrow trained gelding has produced solid money efforts, including a near miss last out in Laurel’s Grade 2 Gen. George. Posting speed numbers needed to win this, plus seven wins at this distance, along with Dominguez in the irons, make this guy quite formidable.

QUE POSSE (2), he stepped-up in last two facing optional claimers and won both. Stern test today for this five-year-old gelding by Posse, as he tries stakes company for the first time. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is well above 20 percent in all the playable angles here, but I think he’s still light in the speed department to threaten for the win.

COMEDERO (3), another five-year-old by Posse, but this Mike Stidham trainee has won nine times from 11 starts at this route for earnings of nearly 350k. Gelding was completely out of his element last out on Kenneland’s synthetic surface, but facing these types and on fast dirt are his calling cards. Gets one of the best on his back today in Javier Castellano and he’s more than playable for me.

TRAVELIN MAN (4), Grade 2 Swale winner enters with back-to-back wins at Gulfstream, and appears on top his game now for trainer Todd Pletcher.  The slight turn back in distance works big time for him here, and regardless of the short-price, you’ve got to consider for the win.

FLAT BOLD (5), in his last three starts, he’s won two of them, both at this distance. Son of Flatter is another solid earner, particularly here, where he’s cashed a check in each of his five starts. Rosie Napravnik gets the call today for trainer Rudy Rodriguez, and there aren’t many hotter than this lady.

JERSEY TOWN (6), interesting start here for this Barclay Tagg trained son of Speightstown, as the Grade 1 Cigar Mile winner from 2010 tries to regain that winning form with his second start of 2012. His debut last out at Gulfstream was an outstanding effort to finish less than a length back, which was his closet try since a Saratoga start back in September. He put in a couple of quick works since arriving here, and certainly has what it takes to win this, but with eight place efforts on his resume, that might be the best you can hope for.

ROYAL CURRIER (7), Red Bullet four-year-old finished next to last two back in the Grade 3 Tom Fool, in his only off-the-board try since a last place turf effort at Saratoga last July. He’s one you’ll have to consider in exotics, as his 12 for 13 money records at this distance attests.

I haven’t a clue what the weather holds for us, but let’s play it fast, and for that I’m taking a shot with Mike Stidham’s Comedero, and at a sizeable price. Hedge that wager with exotic boxes featuring Travelin Man, This Ones For Phil and Jersey Town. Rick’s picks: 3-4-1-6. 

Thursday’s card at BelmontPark will include a Pick 6 carryover of $131,171, with the $85,000 Diablo serving as the sequence’s fifth leg.

The Pick 6, which spans the final six races on the card, begins with race 4. Post time for the fourth race is 2:26 p.m.

Gulfstream Park file photo
Traverlin Man

After a week of racing from Churchill Downs culminating with Oaks and Derby cards, we’ll now focus our attention on the Big Apple and racing from Belmont Park. Today’s eighth and feature is the Marta Stakes for fillies and mares sprinting six and a half furlongs, and since the arrival of “casino” money, the purses have been tops, with today’s being a nice 85k. It’s a small field of five going for the cash, so let’s get started.

Race 8 – Belmont Park – post time: 4:34 p.m. EDT

AQUITANIA (1), after filling out the bottoms of the exotics in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel, she’s won and placed in her last two facing a similar bunch. Trainer Hamilton Smith calls upon top jock Ramon Dominguez for the ride, and he’s getting his picture taken here at almost 30 percent. Leroidesanimaux filly can turn up the volume when she wants to, lets see if it’s today. 

ERIN ROSE (2), five-year-old mare by Purge and conditioned by Frenchman Christophe Clement makes her first start of the 2012 season, and first in nearly a year. Clement is just under 20 percent with the time away play, but that’s is too long for me to endorse for the win.

MY SUNSHINE GAL (3), this West Acre filly’s last three, all in similar overnights, she’s had nothing, and faded in each. Four-year-old has hit the board with 11 of her 19 starts and won close to a quarter mil, but the best I see today is the bottoms of the tri’s.

BELLE OF THE HALL (4), facing graded Gulfstream company in her last two, pricey mare by Graeme Hall showed little. At this level she cashes checks, but in two years worth of starts however, she’s managed but a one across the board record, and that’s not the endorsement I need to pick for the win.

HER SMILE (5), million-dollar daughter of Include, and Grade 1 winner is still trying to find her stride, and judging by her last two against the same graded company as the aforementioned mare, she’s not quite there yet. This is the third start of the current form cycle and third with trainer Chad Brown, and no matter what the excuses have been before, ownership, as in Stronach Stables expects an all-out effort today, with a now or never approach. I like her.

Quality abounds with Her Smile, and this girl will get back on track, here and today. Give me Ramon’s ride aboard Aquitania for a solid second, plus My Sunshine Gal filling ouit the trifectas. Rick’s picks: 5-1-3.